Page 24 - A History Of Food And Drink In Wokingham

W H Cox , a greengrocers at 12 Market Place since 1926, was replaced by an electrical
shop. The premises were subsequently combined in 1959 with 13 Market Place, which at the
time occupied by Bolloms Dyers & Cleaners. It is now Helen & Douglas charity shop.

1952

The existing Wokingham By-Laws included an entry concerning the handling, wrapping and
delivery of food which stated that “all necessary steps to protect food from dust, dirt, mud, filth,
dirty water, animals, rodents, flies and insects” should be taken. In all cases if an offence was
committed the penalty was “a fine not exceeding forty shillings.”

A welcome addition to Wokingham’s industry was Explorator Ltd., a service set up at
Eastheath Avenue, Wokingham to supply and deliver sea-fresh fish. An average of 5,600
stones of fish awee delivered by “feeder” men to Wokingham six days a week and then
distributed to a number of towns in the south and also to Bedford and Cambridge.

1953
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated by days of events in Wokingham
including the time-honoured roasting of the ox. The Mayor, carefully directed by the chefs,
carved the first portion to the accompaniment of three cheers from the crowd. The deputy
Mayor was handed the next portion and then for the next 90 minutes nearly 2,000 pieces were
served to the queue, most of whom purchased a slice of bread and a picnic plate for
threepence. At the conclusion of the carving there were many dog owners queuing for the
bones.

Photograph - Goatley Family
Only one out of every three mothers in Wokingham and district were taking the advantage of
the Welfare Food Service and collecting their children’s cod liver oil and orange juice from
the local food office. The Ministry of Food Welfare Service invited mothers and their young
children to the Town Hall, Wokingham, where they were given details of the scheme.
Arthur Cooper was running a wine shop at the Bush and did so until 1971.

1954

The Finance Committee of the Wokingham Town Council recommended that the Council
purchase the old Wellington Brewery in Denmark Street, Wokingham, subject to the District
Valuer’s report.

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